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If you suffer from hypertension or water retention, diuretic foods can be extremely beneficial. Cleansing your body of excess fluid is good for your general health and wellbeing, thus these foods are often used in fighting weight loss too.Before opting for water pills which help your body to release extra water and salt, its highly recommended to make a few dietary changes first and see if that helps. There is list below of the best diuretic foods available.

1. Lemon

Not only does lemon in water improve its taste, but it is also effective in cases of hypertension, and is frequently one of the first foods recommended to patients with certain medical conditions. You can easily start getting more lemon into your diet, because its the juice that matters, not the whole lemon fruit. Simply add the juice to your water or other foods to get the desired effects. Lemon is also used to treat cases of urinary tract infection.

2. Oats

Not only are oats considered one of the best foods when losing weight, amazingly they are also great diuretics.It is hydrating fruits and vegetables that are usually diuretics and oats seem to be a food that soaks things up, just the way it soaks cholesterol up. Oats can also be beneficial if youre retaining water. This is just another reason why oatmeal makes a great start to your day, no matter whether youre on a diet or trying to reduce your cholesterol levels.

3. Celery

As celery is abundant in water, it definitely speeds up your urination urgency.Its highly beneficial for body hydration, and according to research its not just the water you drink that hydrates your body, but also the water you take in from foods. If you dont mind the taste of celery, or dont like having to chew it up, add it to a diuretic smoothie with other fruits and vegetables offered on this page.Thus your body will get a great nutritional boost.

4. Brussels Sprouts

Even if you dislike the taste of Brussels sprouts, theyre so beneficial that you have to learn to at least tolerate them. These are just one of several cruciferous vegetables on the list, low in calories and abundant in antioxidants, which makes it an excellent choice for your general health. There are some ideas how to consume your Brussels sprouts in case you cant bear the thought of a pile of this vegetable as your side dish.You can, for instance, try mixing them with other vegetables or include them into your main course.

5. Ginger

Although loads of ginger can be quite unpleasant to digest, ginger is also highly beneficial even when taken in small quantities, like when you savor your meal with it or when you add a bit of ginger root to your water. As it offers powerful cleansing effects to your body, it is frequently used in detox programs. In addition, it works as a diuretic helping your body to dispose of any retained fluid. Be sure to include ginger root on your shopping list, as youll be amazed by how beneficial it is.

6. Beets

Not only is beet a diuretic, but it is also abundant in antioxidants among which the specific antioxidant, betalain, found only in a few select foods. When deciding upon what style of beet to eat, always opt for fresh beets that you can grill, boil or steam. This is a much better choice than the pickled variety, and will supply more antioxidants for better overall well-being of your body. However, most beets available in supermarkets and grocery stores are pickled, so you may have look elsewhere at a farmers market or other vegetable stands for fresh beets.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar offers numerous health benefits, one of which is a diuretic property that stimulates your body to cleanse itself of excessive fluids, which eventually results in improved urinary function and general health. Apple cider vinegar can be used to purify water and to speed up a slow digestive system.You can also use it in plenty of recipes, but if you intend to use it as a diuretic its best just to add it to your water and drink it down. You only need to use a little of it in order to benefit from it.

8. Cabbage

No matter how you cut it cabbage is a healthy food; one of its properties is being a diuretic food. Its beneficial in preventing cancer too, and helps in reducing the risk of heart disease. A great way to consume cabbage is in soup form. This requires chopping or shredding the cabbage so its easier to eat, and also cooking it until tender. Its important not to use too much salt when you make cabbage soup, as this decreases the diuretic effect of helping the body get rid of deposited sodium.

9. Cranberry Juice

You are probably familiar that cranberry juice is effective for urinary tract infections, and its partly because it works as a diuretic. Whats good about cranberry juice is that it leaves your potassium levels intact, and also supplies extra antioxidants to help your body fight free radicals. Always choose organic cranberry juice for optimal health benefits, as youll avoid the use of conventional berries which have most likely been treated with chemicals during the growing and preservation process.

10. Eggplant

Eggplant is a natural diuretic and some people make special eggplant water by boiling eggplants and drinking the remaining water in an attempt to lose water weight. This is somewhat extreme; instead, you can consume eggplant as a side dish to just about any meal and thus experience the side effects it provides as a diuretic.

11. Parsley

Parsley has a number of health benefits including being a natural diuretic, apart from being a nice-looking adornment on your plate. Only a tiny package of parsley contains several types of antioxidants. Parsley can be added to your water for a fresher taste, or it can be used more in cooking if you dont like eating it directly. Although its tart taste may be too strong, it can help to refresh your breath in the process.

12. Caffeinated Beverages

Coffee and tea along with any caffeinated beverage act as a diuretic. When it comes to consuming foods for their diuretic properties, its best to weigh the pros and cons. The caffeine in these beverages may be harmful to the body so you better opt for other foods and drinks that offer a similar effect without the use of a substance such as caffeine.

13. Water

Although it may come as a bit of a surprise, drinking water actually stimulates your body to release excess fluid. On the contrary, not drinking enough water can result in your body retaining the water it has so as to maintain its water levels. Some lemon juice in it will increase its diuretic effect or you can also drink hot water with slices of ginger in it for a kind of ginger tea. These techniques will intensify the diuretic effect of water as these add-ins are also common diuretic foods.

14. Tomatoes

Eating raw tomatoes provides a powerful diuretic effect. You can either make yourself a tomato salad or blend them up for fresh tomato juice. In case you dislike the taste of plain tomato juice you could add carrots or watermelon to it to maximize the effect and enhance the flavor. With their abundance of the antioxidant lycopene theyve proved effective in fighting cancer and preventing heart disease of all types, tomatoes are one of the healthiest foods you can consume.

15. Cucumber

Made up mostly of water, cucumbers are a very hydrating vegetable. Thats why these are normally used in detox recipes. They stimulate your urinary system and are highly beneficial with diabetes, weight loss and even cancer. This results from the high antioxidant and mineral content in cucumbers both of which are essential for your body to maintain proper function on a daily basis.

16. Watermelon

Watermelon, as its name implies, is abounding in water, therefore it helps your body to effectively release excessive water and salt. Although it can be hard to stop eating this sweet fruit, you must be careful not to each too much watermelon in one sitting, because its sweetness can increase your blood glucose levels and thus reverse the health benefits of this antioxidant and diuretic fruit.

17. Carrots

Widely known for their benefit to eyesight, carrots contain many other benefits, one of them being a natural diuretic. Whats convenient about carrots is that they come in a few different varieties depending on how you want to use them. Baby carrots are excellent for snacks or for top of salads. Regular sized carrots can be sliced and chopped for use in recipes or cooked up as a side dish to a meal. Regardless of how you consume them, youll inevitably take in all of the nutrients along with the diuretic effect they provide.

18. Garlic

Not only does garlic provide a cleansing effect, it is also a diuretic, which is another more reason to use it in cooking. Garlic pills are a diuretic as well, and it seems that eating garlic in its natural or in powder form is the right way to achieve your goal. You dont have to consume loads of garlic to experience the health benefits, just a little garlic in your dish will do.

19. Artichokes

Artichokes are such a potent diuretic food that they frequently match the effects of prescription medication. These are also good for your digestive system, so if youre set out for losing weight they actually help you on two levels. Theyre also full of vitamins and minerals, so youre refilling your body at the same time youre helping it to release the excess fluid.

20. Asparagus

One of the healthiest vegetables, asparagus is not only abounding in nutrients but also in diuretic properties. The link between this vegetable and your urinary system is obvious as asparagus changes the smell of your urine which is caused by an acid found in asparagus that reacts in a certain way. Its not dangerous to the body, and along with the antioxidants contained in asparagus, it is extremely efficient.